Recycled creations

Special to the Record

Published Saturday, April 19, 2008

Dresses made of shredded magazines, skirts that resemble pinatas and other apparel draped with raffle tickets and bubble wrap will be on view April 27, during an annual event that showcases fashions made of recycled materials.

Panache, a St. Augustine-based company with two Aveda Lifestyle Store, Salon and Spa locations, is doing its part to raise funds for Irania Martnez Garca, recent winner of the CNN Heroes "Defending the Planet" award. As part of Panache and The St. Augustine-Baracoa Friendship Association's efforts to help support Garca and her work in Baracoa, Cuba, the two organizations will host the 4th Annual "Couture with a Cause, Rock the Runway" 2008 fashion show event.

According to Kristy Weeks, Panache founder and owner and one of the event organizers, the salon's staff supports Garca's mission to turn a local toxic dump into an organic fertilizer-producing garden and create a model for other Cuban communities to emulate. Garca has helped hundreds in her community to learn how to grow their own food while utilizing organic and sustainable materials from the compost dump that she and her volunteers maintain.

Recently, Weeks nominated Martnez Garca for CNN's Heroes program and was notified that she won in the "Defending the Planet" category. However, the $10,000 prize money that was due to Martnez Garca was donated to UNICEF instead, due to the U.S. trade embargo with Cuba.

"We will hold the fashion show event to raise $10,000 for Irania and in honor of her work in Cuba," Weeks said.

"All proceeds will be donated to our non-profit organization which will send Irania the hard and soft goods she and her people need to continue their important work."

"Local models will wear highly-stylized clothing and accessories made by Panache friends and family, plus hair and make-up will be designed by Panache stylists," Weeks said.

"The event is well-known in the area and we hope to expand attendance this year to exceed our $4,000 in funds raised last year which was donated to the Gulf Restoration Network (GRN). Our goal this year is to raise $10,000 for Irania and additional funds which will go to GRN to save Florida's water."

The show will begin at 7 p.m., in the Casa Monica Hotel, 95 Cordova St., downtown St. Augustine. Local '80s retro band Papercutt will perform at the after party. A cash bar will be available.

Cost per ticket is $25 for general admission and $35 per person for VIP preferred seating. Sponsorship packages are also available at $250 and $500 levels for a variety of perks including preferred seating, advertising, model photos, event recognition and sponsoring company names to be written on the bodies of the models, to name a few. All ticket and sponsorship contributions are tax-deductible and payable to The St. Augustine-Baracoa Friendship Association.

Tickets are available at Panache locations, 66 Hypolita St., downtown St. Augustine, and 1089 A1A Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach.